I will be at the World Science Fiction Convention (MidAmericon2) in Kansas City, MO. I have a packed schedule full of great panels and social events, and I'm not sure I could be more excited - short of having a Hugo nomination! The list of where & when you can find me is below.
In addition, I'll be volunteering at the SFWA suite from 9-11pm on Wednesday.
The Theory and Possible Practice of FTL Time Travel
Thursday 14:00 - 15:00, 3501D (Kansas City Convention Center)
What is the theory of faster-than-light time travel? Will humans ever be able to travel faster than the speed of light? Do they need to, in order to time travel? What would the repercussions be from FTL travel?
Howard Davidson, Jim Davidson, Edward M. Lerner (M), Mr John Strickland Jr., S.B. Divya
Biology: The New Hard SF
Thursday 19:00 - 20:00, 2208 (Kansas City Convention Center)
It's been 20 years (at least) since space travel and physics problems could credibly claim to be at the centre of "hard SF." The biological sciences, from genomics to ecology, seem more central to our future. What narrative opportunities does biology offer SF writers? Which stories make the most of those opportunities, and which fall into common traps? And what areas does SF need to further explore?
Mr. Leo d'Entremont (M), S.B. Divya, Dr. Tom Easton, Sharon Joss, Alison Sinclair
They're Here! AIs in our Lives
Friday 10:00 - 11:00, 3501B (Kansas City Convention Center)
First responder, doctor, love Interest, dvisor, pet? Artificial intelligences already come in all sizes and shapes, and they can feed themselves if they need to. What are the different roles AIs play (and may play) in our lives, and as they get smarter, how can we ensure that nothing goes horribly wrong?
S.B. Divya, Dr. Tom Easton, William Hayashi (M), Milt Stevens
SFWA Autographing: S.B. Divya
Friday 12:00 - 12:50, SFWA Table (Kansas City Convention Center)
Reading: S.B. Divya
Friday 15:00 - 15:30, 2202 (Readings) (Kansas City Convention Center)
Futurism vs. SF
Friday 18:00 - 19:00, 2209 (Kansas City Convention Center)
Science Fiction explores the future. Futurism explores the future and tries to relate it to the real world. What causes someone to be a Futurist rather than a science fiction author? Where are the overlaps and the differences between the two practices?
S.B. Divya (M), Karl Schroeder, Andrea Phillips, David Brin
Tor Books Party
Friday 21:00 - 23:00 (Crowne Plaza Hotel)
A party thrown by Tor Books to celebrate with its authors and fans. All are welcome!
Kaffeeklatsch: S.B. Divya, Kate Elliott, Charlaine Harris, Connie Willis
Saturday 13:00 - 14:00, 2211 (KKs) (Kansas City Convention Center)
Escape Artists Magazine Group Reading
Saturday 14:00 - 15:00, 2502A (Kansas City Convention Center)
Thinking Through Neuroscience in SF and Fantasy
Saturday 16:00 - 17:00, 2209 (Kansas City Convention Center)
Neuroscience is a complex and rapidly developing area of technological advancement. We look at some of the recent advances as well as discussing how these are reinterpreted in SF and Fantasy media.
S.B. Divya (M), Anna Kashina, Benjamin C. Kinney, Caroline M. Yoachim, Sandee Rodriguez